John Amos is a well-known Emmy-nominated actor with a successful career in show business. Starting out as a former NFL player, Amos made the transition to entertainment through stand-up comedy and eventually made a name for himself as a respected actor.
Born on December 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, John Amos is an American actor and former athlete. He graduated from Colorado State University with a sociology degree and had a brief stint as a Golden Gloves boxing champion before signing with the Denver Broncos and later the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL.
After his football career didn’t pan out, Amos found his calling in the entertainment industry, starting with the Greenwich Village stand-up scene. He also worked as an advertising and comedy writer, and appeared in TV commercials for companies like Pillsbury and McDonald’s.
Amos got his big break when he landed a role on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, playing the weatherman Gordon “Gordy” Howard from 1970 to 1973. He later starred in the miniseries Roots and gained fame for his portrayal of James Evans Sr. on the CBS television series Good Times. Amos also had recurring roles on shows like The West Wing and NBC’s Hunter.
In March 2024, TMZ reported that John Amos’ daughter Shannon accused his son K.C. of elder abuse. Shannon claimed that K.C. had not been providing proper care for their father, who was dealing with numerous medical issues. This was not the first time Shannon had raised concerns about her father’s well-being, as she set up a GoFundMe page in June of 2023 to raise funds for him.
Despite these accusations, John Amos refuted the claims in an Instagram video shared by K.C., stating that he was not in critical condition and was being well taken care of by his medical team. He redirected the accusations towards Shannon, claiming she was the one responsible for his alleged elderly abuse.
Currently, John Amos is working on a docuseries about his life and career alongside his son, K.C. The project aims to showcase their individual and joint careers, providing insight into their journey in the entertainment industry. The series, titled “America’s Dad,” is set to resonate with viewers from all walks of life who see Amos as a father figure.
With a long list of TV shows and movies to his credit, including appearances in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Men in Trees, Coming to America, and Die Hard 2, John Amos continues to make an impact in the world of entertainment.
